The National Police Service has ordered the immediate interdiction of the Rwanyambo Police Post Commander following an unfortunate incident in which a woman miscarried while in custody.
In an official statement, NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga conveyed deep sadness over the incident and assured citizens that urgent measures are underway.
The woman allegedly lost a seven-month-old pregnancy while detained at a local police post in Kinangop, Nyandarua County, an event that has raised painful questions about the conditions of custody.
In response to the incident, an investigation has been launched by the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU), which will be working closely with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to determine the precise circumstances surrounding the case.
As part of the immediate action, NPS has interdicted the officer in charge of the police post, effectively removing him from power pending further investigations.
“To ensure a swift, impartial, and transparent investigation, the officer in charge of Rwanyambo Police Post has been interdicted with immediate effect,” the statement read in part.
“The NPS reaffirms its steadfast commitment to serving and protecting the public, while strictly upholding the rule of law, human rights, and fundamental freedoms”, the statement continued.
Nyaga acknowledged the incident as “deeply unfortunate” and affirmed the Service’s commitment to fully cooperate with the ongoing inquiry.
Authorities, however, did not reveal the specific details of the officer interdicted or when the interdiction would take place.
The latest incident continues to raise concerns over how police are handling Kenyans in custody.
According to the victim's sister, she had been arrested after her employer filed a complaint saying Ksh 18,000 from a day's sales was missing.
"I pleaded with the police to release my sister as we tried to raise the money, but they declined. I pleaded with them, informing them that my sister had other children waiting at home and we had a sick mother to take care of, but they refused," the victim's sister revealed.
These incidents in police custody continue to ignite concern among Kenyans who have accused the police of heightened brutality at the expense of Kenyan's lives.
